Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026

05:04
A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect
Published on: September 22, 2023
Breastfeeding in China: a review
Fenglian Xu1, Liqian Qiu, Colin W Binns
1School of Public Health and Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University of Technology, WA, Australia, 6845. c.binns@curtin.edu.au.
International Breastfeeding Journal
|June 18, 2009
Summary
Breastfeeding rates in China have increased since the 1990s, with
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Maternal and Child Health
- Nutritional Epidemiology
Background:
- Breastfeeding practices in China have undergone significant changes over recent decades.
- Historical trends show a decline in breastfeeding during the 1970s and 1980s, followed by a resurgence.
- Variations in breastfeeding rates exist across different regions and ethnic groups within China.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review changes in breastfeeding rates and duration in China.
- To identify reasons for discontinuing any breastfeeding or exclusive breastfeeding.
- To analyze regional and ethnic disparities in breastfeeding practices.
Main Methods:
- This study is a review of existing literature and data on breastfeeding in China.
- Data analysis focuses on breastfeeding rates, duration, and cessation factors.
- Comparisons are made between different regions, including minority areas.
Main Results:
- 'Any breastfeeding' rates at four months exceed 80% in most areas since the mid-1990s.
- 'Exclusive breastfeeding' rates often fall below the national target of 80%.
- Common reasons for cessation include perceived insufficient milk, maternal employment, illness, and traditional beliefs, particularly in rural areas.
Conclusions:
- While overall breastfeeding has improved, exclusive breastfeeding remains a challenge in China.
- Addressing perceived milk insufficiency, work-related barriers, and harmful traditional beliefs is crucial.
- Tailored interventions are needed to improve breastfeeding outcomes, especially in diverse and less developed regions.
Related Concept Videos
Parental Care
Many animals exhibit parental care behavior, including feeding, grooming, and protecting young offspring. Parental care is universal in mammals and birds, which often have young that are born relatively helpless. Several species of insects and fish, as well as some amphibians, also care for their young.
Development of Human Microbiota
The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
Development of the Oral Microbiota
The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...

